Trying to figure out a good system

[Schuultz]

Hey everyone,

I'm planning to upgrade from my old Dell Dimension E521 to a homebuild system, meant for middle-range gaming. I've recently (in my stupidity) bought a Geforce GTS250, only to find out that it just won't fit in. As a result, I've decided to see if I can build myself a relatively cheap PC, preferably while re-using things such as some of the RAM, Processor and the hard drive.

So, to get to my actual question:
I'm starting out with my Geforce GTS250, a Dynex 500W power supply and (ideally) re-using my 250GB hard drive and 2GB RAM.

Since I'm completely and utterly new to the PC-building, I was wondering if you guys can recommend me a decent case, processor (if I can't re-use my AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4400+) and, most importantly I guess, motherboard. I'm pretty sure I'm currently running an on-board soundcard, and since I'm no audio-enthusiast I have no problem doing the same for my new system.

Additional info: I don't really require any accessories like mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitors, etc. I'm running Windows Vista, and currently have no plans to upgrade to 7.

Since I'm not looking to buy a whole new setup but rather recycle as many parts as possible, the ones mentioned above, motherboard, case, processor (if needed) are everything I'm trying to get to new. As such, I'd prefer I would have to spend no more than $400.

I'm planning to re-use the memory, power supply, disc drives and hard drive, as well as the processor (if possible). Also, I already have that Geforce GTS250 that I'm planning to use.

Are there any parts I'm forgetting?


Thanks in advance from Canada!!

 

[kg2010]

Hey bud,

You may want to check out this thread before posting your questions, so people can help you better.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/288241-31-read-posting-buyer-guides-troubleshooting

 

[xurwin]

kg's right fill it out.

so lets speculate that you have a VERY CHEAP below budget. for a case,motherboard and cpu

mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130275&cm_re=870-_-13-130-275-_-Product
case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product
cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843&cm_re=athlon_rana-_-19-103-843-_-Product

=$254.97

and that psu, dynex? never heard of it. i prefer buy a antec EA650watts.

 

[Schuultz]

and that psu, dynex? never heard of it. i prefer buy a antec EA650watts.

Dynex is the Futureshop internal brand, I think. Haven't had any problems with it yet, and afaik the 500W should be enough for the system?

Also, Newegg should be fine as far as retailers go.

 

[xurwin]

yes it is enough.

 

[Schuultz]

By the way, will I have to buy a new fan for the system as well or does it come with the tower/motherboard?

 

[xurwin]

fan? you mean for the cpu? the hsf? or fan that is fan fan fan for the case?

if fan for the case, i think that maybe 2 fans are supplied in the haff 922(i never owned one) so if you wana buy here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185099&cm_re=sycthe-_-35-185-099-_-Product


(this wont be necessary if you arent going to overclock)and hsf? for the cpu cooling. here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=cm_hyper-_-35-103-065-_-Product

 

[xurwin]

and wait!!!! tell me whats your ram? maybe its a ddr2. it wont recognize in this mobo i think.
if yes.
then buy this ddr3 ram. and use this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276&cm_re=gskill_4gb_ddr3-_-20-231-276-_-Product

 

[Schuultz]

I was thinking of the fan for the CPU. I'm pretty sure there's one installed on my current rig, too, and if I was to reuse it on the new build, I was wondering if there could be any compatibility problems with the new motherboard.
From what I have seen so far, it doesn't seem like Dell is providing very adaptable hardware...

EDIT: Yeah, it's DDR2 memory... so I guess I'll have to buy new memory, too. Bummer.

 

[xurwin]

dell really does that. because its what we call business. they tend to do that so that you will a new set of computer eventually.

i dont know with the fan for the cpu. its called hsf. soo. if you want a new one. buy this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

but its expensive at newegg. maybe search this hsf in amazon

 

[Schuultz]

dell really does that. because its what we call business. they tend to do that so that you will a new set of computer eventually.

i dont know with the fan for the cpu. its called hsf. soo. if you want a new one. buy this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

but its expensive at newegg. maybe search this hsf in amazon

So would I need an HSF for the Processor you recommended?

 

[xurwin]

it dpends. if your going to overclock. if not. better not buy it atm.

 

[Schuultz]

Best answer selected by Schuultz.

 

[Schuultz]

it dpends. if your going to overclock. if not. better not buy it atm.

Ok, so at the moment my built would look like this:

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Motherboard: MSI 870A-G54 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX

Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9

GPU: ZOTAC ZT-20109-10P GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

PSU: SILVERSTONE ST50F-ES 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

(I'll reuse my old Harddrive and Disc-drives. Do I need to buy a soundcard or is there an onboard included?)

How does that sound?

 

[xurwin]

everything looks good!. you dont need a soundcard. there is a onboard sound dont worry.